Beef

Caution urged as ‘small number of local clusters’ of BVD identified

Caution has been urged as the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme approaches a particularly critical juncture.
26 April 2023

Planning your silage strategy – more to consider than just fertiliser

The old adage of ‘fail to plan, plan to fail’ always jumps to mind around silage time. Often, however, the only planning is around fertiliser and how much to apply.
26 April 2023

Adding clover into the grazing sward

On this week’s Beef Edge podcast, we’re joined by Ciaran Lynch, host of the Teagasc OviCast podcast, for a joint episode to discuss all things clover with Dr. Mike Egan, Teagasc Research Officer.
26 April 2023

Can oats, beans or peas play a role in beef cattle diets?

A recent trial in Teagasc Grange evaluated the role oats, field beans or peas can play when used in the rations offered to beef cattle on grass silage diets.
23 April 2023

The importance of silage quality for beef production systems

Grass silage typically makes up around one quarter to one third of total feed dry matter (DM) consumed on drystock farms. Compared to grazed grass, it is quite expensive to produce (usually twice the cost per tonne DM).
22 April 2023

Increasing sward and animal performance with red clover

High artificial nitrogen costs have sparked a renewed interest in red clover silage. When grown in conjunction with a companion grass, these crops have the potential to provide a winter feed to livestock production systems from zero chemical nitrogen input.
22 April 2023

Calving 100% of cows in a six-week window

Ken Gill farms full time in Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly. A full symbol organic producer, Ken operates an autumn-calving suckler system, with all animals brought to beef.
21 April 2023

Teagasc Signpost Advisory Programme open to participants

Most of the actions you are being asked to implement to reduce emissions will also reduce costs, improve animal performance and increase farm profitability. It’s a win-win for your farm.
20 April 2023

Completing a bull 'NCT' ahead of breeding

We are now in April and while there is still a focus on getting the last of the cows safely calved, we should now also be looking at next year’s crop of calves. One very important half of this equation is the stock bull.
20 April 2023

Key aspects of a synchronisation regimen for a suckler beef herd

Dr.Colin Byrne, researcher in Teagasc Grange, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss key aspects of a synchronisation regimen for a suckler beef herd.
19 April 2023

Heat detection - what is the key to success?

Using AI in the suckler herd can offer a farmer many benefits. Increased adoption of AI provides access to some of the best and proven beef genetics in the country. Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist, tells us more.
19 April 2023

Assessing the resistance status of your farm

The ability of wormers to work effectively is important for livestock production systems in Ireland. However, the continued use of wormers leads to the development of drug resistant worms, known as anthelmintic resistance.
18 April 2023

Let's Talk Organics - Growing red clover silage to finish beef cattle

Elaine Leavy and Joe Kelleher, Teagasc Organic Specialists hosted a Let's Talk Organics webinar on Wednesday, 5th April which focused on growing red clover silage to finish beef cattle.
15 April 2023

Rebuilding of fodder stocks a priority

A challenging March has caused issues for dairy, drystock and tillage farmers, attendees heard at yesterday’s meeting of the Fertiliser Sub-group of the National Food and Fodder Security Committee in Teagasc Oak Park, Co. Carlow.
14 April 2023

Playing a crucial role in the environmental and economic success of dairy, beef and sheep

Genetics is an essential field to the future of the farming industry in Ireland. With new environmental targets being set nationwide, predicting animal characteristics may prove instrumental.
14 April 2023

Decreasing age at slaughter

Aidan Moloney, Edward O’Riordan, Mark McGee and Paul Crosson of the Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Grange, report on decreasing the age at slaughter of early maturing suckler heifers in the recent Teagasc Beef Advisory newsletter.
14 April 2023

Key management tips for the weeks ahead

Alan Dillon, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Campaign Co-ordinator, joins Catherine Egan on this week's Beef Edge podcast with an update from the campaign and key management tips for the weeks ahead.
12 April 2023

Successful calf rearing the key to profitable dairy calf to beef

Fergal Maguire, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 advisor, gives an update on how calf rearing has gone for monitor farmer Aidan Maguire, Navan, Co. Meath in this article.
12 April 2023

Identifying and rearing suitable replacement heifers to calve at two years

The current national average age at first calving in suckler-bred heifers is 32 months, with only 23% of heifers calving for the first time at 24 months of age.
12 April 2023

Moving from the shed to the field with dairy-beef calves

With early spring born calves now weaned on many farms, the next port of call is transitioning these animals to the outdoor environment.
11 April 2023

Watch: Avoiding the post-weaning growth check

Weaning can be a particularly stressful time for calves, as they make the transition from a liquid feed diet to a solid feed diet, explains Tommy Cox, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 advisor.
11 April 2023

Tips when purchasing a new stock bull

It has come to the time of year again when many farmers around the country will be looking to source new stock bulls for the coming breeding season. In this article, Enda Maloney, Teagasc Drystock Advisor, discusses some key points to look out for before a purchase is made.
10 April 2023

Breeding the next generation of cows with Future Beef Farmer John Dunne

Breeding choices made on suckler farms over the coming weeks have both short and long-term implications.
09 April 2023

The key things to consider when closing up silage ground

With farmers starting to close up silage ground in the coming weeks, Teagasc Drystock Advisor Gerard Cregg, based in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the main things farmers need to consider.
05 April 2023

Future Beef Update: Matching the bull with the cow and using sexed semen

Eamon and Donnchadh McCarthy – a father and son team – operate a suckler-to-beef enterprise in Youghal, Co. Waterford, with bulls finished under 16 months and heifers at 22 months.
05 April 2023

Using sexed semen in the suckler herd

Artificial insemination (AI) is a breeding technology that has been around for a long number of years. However, only 17% of suckler calves are born from AI sires, despite AI being the fastest way of making genetic improvement in the herd.
05 April 2023

Breeding quality calves for repeat custom in Co. Meath

Conor Smith milks 250 cows with his parents in Carlanstown, Co. Meath, producing 530kg of milk solids per cow last year from a herd of predominately high EBI Holstein Friesian cows. The herd’s average EBI value is €184.
03 April 2023

Challenge into opportunity

A setback generated new perspectives for this large scale beef farmer. Aisling Molloy, Future Beef Programme, tells us more.
01 April 2023

Improving beef potential from the dairy herd

Regardless of cow type, there is the potential within dairy herds for a better beef breeding policy, Dr. Nicky Byrne, dairy beef researcher in Teagasc Grange, told the recent DairyBeef 500 Spring Conference in Navan, Co. Meath.
01 April 2023

TAMS 3: Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme open

Applications are now open for the TAMS 3 Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS), which provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holding.
31 March 2023